Sleeping Bag Records
| Company type | Independent record label |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music industry |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Arthur Russell, Will Socolov |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Juggy Gayles (partner and promoter), Kurtis Mantronik (A&R) |
| Products | Dance music and hip hop records |
Sleeping Bag Records was an independent record label based in New York City, established by musician Arthur Russell alongside entrepreneur Will Socolov. Operating between 1981 and 1992, the label primarily focused on dance music and hip hop genres.
Background and history
The label was created in 1981 with the purpose of releasing singles produced by Arthur Russell under multiple dance music pseudonyms. Its inaugural release was the Dinosaur L album 24→24 Music (1981). Throughout its existence, Sleeping Bag Records signed influential artists including Mantronix, Just-Ice, Nice & Smooth, T La Rock, EPMD, and Stezo; freestyle singers like Nocera and Kariya, known for the track "Let Me Love You for Tonight"; as well as R&B vocalist and songwriter Joyce Sims.
Starting in 1983, Juggy Gayles took on the role of promoting singles for the label and eventually became a partner. The company’s logo was characterized by an illustration of a koala. In 1985, the label introduced its subsidiary, Fresh Records. Additionally, Kurtis Mantronik from Mantronix contributed to the label in an A&R capacity.
Following its closure in 1992, Sleeping Bag Records’ catalog remained dormant until its acquisition by Warlock Records in 1996. Warlock subsequently reissued albums bearing both the Sleeping Bag and Fresh Records branding alongside its own imprint. The Manhattan property that housed the label’s offices was demolished during the 1990s and redeveloped into luxury residential units.
In 2006, ownership of the catalog transferred to Traffic Entertainment Group, which continues to re-release classic albums from Sleeping Bag while preserving their original cover art.
In popular culture
- The group EPMD mentioned their contract with sub-label Fresh Records in the track "Please Listen to My Demo" from their 1989 album Unfinished Business.
- Juggy Gayles, a partner at the label, appeared in a prank call featured by the Jerky Boys on "The Hucklebuck" from their 1999 release Stop Staring at Me!. Gayles was also the publisher behind the original "The Hucklebuck," recorded by Paul Williams and His Hucklebuckers in 1949.
See also
- Articles with short description
- Record labels established in 1981
- Record labels disestablished in 1992
- Hip-hop record labels
- American independent record labels
- 1981 establishments in New York (state)
- 1992 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Defunct companies based in New York City
- American companies established in 1981
- American companies disestablished in 1992